A Mormon Tabernacle Christmas

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? This disc, a 2000 Telarc release, presents that glorious ensemble with the Orchestra at Temple Square conducted by Craig Jessop in a real holiday treat. This is truly a Christmas blockbuster if there ever was one. There's something overwhelming about the mammoth sound and legendary precision of the Tabernacle Choir, and for those of you weary of ordinary Christmas tunes, or who went the jazz route and got tired of it, come home to this disc. "Joy to the World" arranged by Mack Wilberg is truly joyous. Organist John Longhurst begins with a chord that invites the strings to come in, followed by brass fanfare and finally chorus. Wilberg's exceptional arrangements are filled with a flourish and panache that revive the Carol genre almost single-handedly. A double Platinum winner, this is a great disc to have at home or to give as a stocking stuffer. Bring on the eggnog!